Boogie Woogie and Looking For Eric DVD Reviews
“Boogie Woogie” is made watchable by a strong cast.
“Looking For Eric” has its moments, but suffers from tonal issues.
Boogie Woogie
“Boogie Woogie” sounds like a roller skating from the 80’s, but in reality, it is a dark satire about the art world (although there are a few sexy scenes of Amanda Seyfried rollerblading in a short skirt). The story itself focuses on a tight-knit community of art dealers, art collectors, and artists in London.
‘Boogie’ is a strange film because it both succeeds and fails at what it sets out to do. On one hand, the film is a dead on satire about the greedy, phony, ludicrous, hipster ridden art world. On the other hand, it’s just not very funny mostly because we’ve seen people like this before in documentaries like “My Kid Could Paint That” and “Herb And Dorothy.” To me, the reality of the art world is more baffling and amusing than any fictional film on the subject can be.
Luckily, the movie’s all-star cast makes up for the script’s shortcomings. Heather Graham, Amanda Seyfried, Christopher Lee, Stellan Skarshard, Alan Cumming, and Gillian Anderson (despite her phony accent) all do a fine job here, but it’s Danny Huston who steals the show as a grinning, backstabbing art dealer.
Overall, “Boogie Woogie” is possibly worth a rent, but it’s nothing I’d go out of my way to see.
The 1.85:1 widescreen picture quality is good all around. This is a well shot film with a well done transfer.
I have no issues with the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track (unless you count the sometimes distracting music score)
The only extras included are IFC film trailers and a TV spot and trailer for “Boogie Woogie.”
Looking For Eric
The plot: Eric Bishop is a postal worker who’s trying to get his life back on track. However, that’s easier said than done as he’s suffering from panic attacks, attempting to raise two rude teen stepsons (one of which is involved in crime) and trying to win his ex-wife back (whom he previously left out of the blue). Thankfully, former Manchester United soccer star Eric Cantona is present (as a figment of his imagination) to help Eric Bishop out in his quest.
Like “Boogie Woogie,” “Looking For Eric” is another oddly paced, oddly toned dramedy that isn’t all that amusing. Granted, the “showdown” ending made me crack a smile, but other than that, this is a pretty dreary film about past mistakes. There’s certainly a good film somewhere here as the script is heavy with themes about love, the impacts sports have on our lives, heroes, redemption, overcoming obstacles, and son on, but the presentation of the film isn’t what one would expect. Had the film cut about 20 minutes and added more humor, this could have been a more enjoyable flick. As is, it’s somewhat of a chore to get through.
I know the grainy, muted color look was intentional, but I have to say that the 1.85:1 widescreen picture quality is still ugly and murky looking. Not a good style choice if you ask me (especially since the film is supposed to be somewhat comedic).
For non British (and French) viewers, you might want to crank up the Dolby Digital 5.1 to understand some of the thick accents on display here. It can be hard to hear what the actor’s are saying in certain points.
Extras include IFC Film trailers, “Looking For Eric” trailer and TV spot, and 12 minutes of deleted scenes.
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Robert Ham
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DVD Corner 
Gillian Anderson was raised in England, so her accent isn’t phony.
She was born in the U.S. and her accent sounds like an American doing a British accent. I just don’t buy it. That’s my opinion. She still did a good job in the movie though. A nice departure for her.
Not to belabor the point, but she moved to England when she was 2 years old and stayed there until she was 11 or so. So, truly, she learned to speak “British” English before she learned “American.”